DL380 Gen9 ram running at 1600 MHz

[onlyzeros]

Hi all,
I have an DL380 Gen9 with a single Intel E5-2640 v4 and 10x16 DDR4 2133 MHz = 160 GB RAM.
In iLo it shows that the operating frequncy is 1600 MHz, from my understanding it should be running at 2133 MHz.
I have populated the slots alphabetically and made sure in BIOS, Maximum Memory bus frequecy is set to run at 2133 MHz.

Before today I had 6x16GB and it was running at 1866MHz wich was expected from what I read, but now I added anothe 4 dims because it's runing in quad channel it should be at rated speed. 
I wonder if it's because it's mixed with HP Smart memory. 
Does anyone know what might be the issue?

[rabindra11sharm]

Dear  onlyzeros

It seems that installed DIMMs are not same part no, as per your shared snap. any ways Please check HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen9 Quickspeck for your server proccessor supported DIMMs frequency information on page no 4, DIMM population instruction on page no 41. after that you have to  configure it BIOS menuFor memory configurations with a single processor or multiple processors, DIMMs must be populated sequentially in alphabetical order (A through L).After installing the DIMMs, use the BIOS/Platform Configuration (RBSU) menu in the UEFI System Utilities to configure supported AMP modes.

Also I have a document for you HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen9 Server User Guide. Please go to option to configure you server DIMMs. Home/Hardware option installation/ Memory option

I could provide you with clear and helpful instructions. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, don't hesitate to ask. I'm here to help! Have a great day!

[onlyzeros]

@rabindra11sharm 

Hi rabindra11sharm,
Thanks for your reply, I have been through the documentation and I don't see anything to sugest why the ram would be running this slow.
The only difference between HPE memory and non HPE is the last 2 characters in the model number. 

I didn't think this would make this much difference. 

Thanks for your help anyway.

[rabindra11sharm]

Dear  onlyzeros

Its clearly visible that you are useing 2133MHz DIMMs. in you snaps. from where you know that your server getting slower speed.

Also Please configure it BIOS menuFor memory configurations with a single processor or multiple processors, DIMMs must be populated sequentially in alphabetical order (A through L).After installing the DIMMs, use the BIOS/Platform Configuration (RBSU) menu in the UEFI System Utilities to configure supported AMP modes.

Reference snaps. 

[onlyzeros]

 Hi rabindra11sharm,
You highlighted the maximum supported frequency. Above that it shows operating frequency which is currently 1600MHz. 
I also mentioned in my post that "I have populated the slots alphabetically and made sure in BIOS, Maximum Memory bus frequecy, is set to run at 2133 MHz."

The slots not present are K and L. HP has a weird way of memory requirement to populate the slots

[rabindra11sharm]

Dear onlyzeros

can you please share snap for iLO web console, Proccessor tab once???

[onlyzeros]

Hi rabindra11sharm,
Here it is.

[rabindra11sharm]

Dear onlyzeros

Thanks for snapshot. Please provide  firmware tab snapshot.

[onlyzeros]

@rabindra11sharm Hi rabindra11sharm ,

Here it is. Sorry for the mobile screenshot. 

[rabindra11sharm]

Dear  onlyzeros 

Every thing I checked and trying understand actual issue. Also I go through for different documentation and advisories. Atlast I reached only one conclusion. It seems that The server was originally configured with V3 CPU in initial stage, after that it upgraded to V4 CPU. that is why the mainboard model/revision impact maximum frequency.

[onlyzeros]

@rabindra11sharm 

Hi rabindra11sharm,

Do you have any suggestions for what I could do? 

I have updated BIOS, changed CPU, now I have a Xeon E5-2697A and also filled up all the ram slots.

After all this it's the ram is still running at 1600MHz.

[rabindra11sharm]

Dear  onlyzeros 

There is a process for upgradation. SUPPORT ALERTS - CUSTOMER ADVISORY. Please folow the instruction for upgradation process.

[onlyzeros]

Hi rabindra11sharm,

I think the problem might be mixing HPE with non HPE memory.
I have removed the HPE memory kepping only 2 slots from each channel, black and white, populated and the ram was running at its advertised speed. 
This is quite ridiculous from HPE for not allowing different dimms to work as intented. I even disabled HPE memory check, and memory part number in bios (RBSU) and still didn't work.
I have mixed Dell ram in the past with Dell and never have this issue.
I will buy another 3 non HPE dimms and will let you know for sure.

Regards.